TrueRoots - Students trying to make a difference

We are moving towards a truly global community, as increases in commercial flights and the invention of the internet has allowed businesses and organizations to operate globally. From Norwegian shipping companies based in Asia, to banks outsourcing their call-centres to different parts of the world, global communication and movement in inevitable in the future. Obviously, there are vast differences between the people around the world, and we all have our own cultures and values which outsiders may not understand. As a result, racial and cultural prejudices are prominent in all societies, and there is constant news coverage of cultural clashes and racial attacks no matter where in the world you go. For this ‘global community’ we are aiming for is going to work, cultural appreciation, or at the very least, understanding, and respecting the differences between us, as we live right next door to each other in the same neighbourhoods, is crucial.

TrueRoots is an international organization of students representing India, Norway, Thailand, Malaysia, England, Guatemala and the USA. TrueRoots was founded to promote cross-cultural awareness and community service through the visual and media arts. In our global community, the traditional practices and artforms of some countries are threatened by the pressures of globalization. TrueRoots undertakes projects where the freedom of artistic expression directly benefits our understanding and appreciation of the world we live in. This will be done through TrueRoot Films, producing socially active and aware documentaries. Contributions will aid the production and subsequent release of this film, as well as the development of Cultural Initiatives for folk artists in West Bengal.

Our pilot production is entitled Songs from the Little Road (Ananta Jebone, Life Eternal) which is a documentary on Bengali folk arts, specifically a traditional form of scroll painting which predates cinema. In recent years, this art form has seen a severe decline as interests have shifted from the traditional arts to television, film and radio. These Muslim artists paint Hindu mythological stories on panels in the form of storyboards, and sing the story out, taking their paintings from village to village to share their ideas. There is some controversy with this art form, and this community of artists were shunned for a long time from both Muslim and Hindu societies for betraying the other. Within this dual philosophy, these artists have maintained a unique voice, which in our changing society boasts tolerance, understanding and acceptance of multi-cultural and philosophical beliefs. We strongly believe that this quality is something our world, especially as media makers, must acknowledge, respect and learn from.

The TrueRoots initiative is unique, in the way that the organization is made up mainly by full-time students in universities all over the world who are currently spending most of their free time trying to execute this project alongside their studies. We have just recently started up TrueRoots Europe, which aims to promote the cause of TrueRoots in Europe.

For Songs from the Little Road, a group of American and Indian students will travel to Bengal in June, and will act as ‘storytellers’ whilst observing a way of life they have never experienced before. Unfortunately, this unique project can only become a reality, if enough money can be raised to cover the expenses of producing and distributing this film. As a result, TrueRoots is currently operating on generous in-kind contributions from groups and individuals across the globe, and several fundraising events have been organized. Unforutnately, we currently do not have enough funding to make Songs from the Little Road a reality. Even the smallest donations bring us a little bit closer to our cause and are immensely appreciated.

For more information, get involved, or to contribute, please contact Cathrine Sorlie on cathrine.sorlie@trueroots.org